It’s always interesting to test drive a new 200 series Peugeot. After the successful 207, it’s now time for the Peugeot 208. The new 208 makes a little exception what comes to the new cars as this new model is actually a bit smaller than its predecessor. Due to the shorter overhangs front and rear, 208 is 70mm shorter than the 207. Designers have also cut slices from its width (-20mm) and height (-10mm). The Peugeot 208 is also considerably lighter. Basic model’s kerb weight is just 975 kg. This diesel engined model weighs 1090 kilograms.

Although the styling is compeletely new, the 208 still looks quite much like a Peugeot. The front grille gives the car that Peugeot smile, which makes it easier to recognise. The bonnet is very short, while the windscreen is large. This Allure equipped model comes with LED daytime driving lights. The rear lights are shaped like a boomerang giving the car a bit more personal look. Peugeot 208 is available as a 3-door and 5-door versions. The 3-door version is a bit more stylish, while this 5-door version improves the use of the backseat.

In the front seat the car feels roomy considering its compact exterior dimensions. The steering wheel is very small, which is strange at first, but you get used to it quickly. The small steering wheel makes it possible to read the dashboard meters above the steering wheel. Peugeot 208 is offered with different accessory levels. We drove the Allure version which is pretty well equipped. It comes with the sport front seats, leather trimmed steering wheel, 7-inch multifunction colour touch screen and automatic dual zone air conditioning among other things.

The new Peugeot 208 offers a range of three- and four-cylinder engines. The four-cylinder VTi and THP -petrol variants and HDi-diesel engines are more familiar, but the three-cylinder petrol engines are completely new. While waiting for the three-cylinder versions entering production, we tested the e-HDI 115 FAP model, which has a 1.6-litre engine. It is the most powerful diesel engine in the range producing 115 horsepower and 270 Newton metres of torque. This provides quite good performance for the 208. Not really a sporty, but thanks to the huge amount of torque available, it drives really well. It actually accelerates quite nicely, if you are on a right rev range. If the revs are below 1500rpm, and you press the throttle, nothing happens. But above 1500rpm this compact car start to gather speed more happily and from 1750rpm, you have all the 270 Newton metres of torque available. The acceleration from zero to 100km/h takes 9.7 seconds and the top speed is 190 km/h.

The engine is partnered with a six-speed manual gearbox. The suspension feels great on the road and especially in the long, fast bends there is a very little body roll. The steering feel isn’t quite as accurate as it could be, but small steering wheel makes the steering quite fast. The new Peugeot 208 can be surprisingly fun car to drive, but at least in my case, it took a while for me and 208 to really get to know each other. And just when we got acquainted, it was allready time to return the keys, sadly.